(2) When the law was proposed, the promise to perfect obedience was that Israel would be unto God "a kingdom of priests" (Exo 19:6). But Israel violated the law, and God shut up the priestly office to the Aaronic family, appointing the tribe of Levi to minister to them, thus constituting the typical priesthood. (Exo 28:1).

(3) In the dispensation of grace, all believers are unconditionally constituted a "kingdom of priests" (Pe1 2:9); (Rev 1:6) the distinction which Israel failed to achieve by works. The priesthood of the believer is, therefore, a birthright; just as every descendant of Aaron was born to the priesthood. (Heb 5:1).

(4) The chief privilege of a priest is access to God. Under law the high priest only could enter "the holiest of all," and that but once a year (Heb 9:7); but when Christ died, the veil, type of Christ's human body (Heb 10:20) was rent, so that now the believer-priests, equally with Christ the High Priest, have access to God in the holiest. (Heb 10:19-22).